Williamsburg Youth Dies Of Head Injury

May 13, 1990

JAMES CITY (COUNTY) — A 16-year-old Williamsburg boy died Saturday from injuries received when the car in which he was a passenger crashed on Route 5 Friday night.

James Huffine Davis, a sophomore at Lafayette High School, died as a result of a head injury in the single-car accident, which occurred 50 feet west of the Route 614 intersection about 10:30 p.m., said Sgt. R.M. McCullouch, a State Police spokesman in Richmond.

Rescue workers from the James City County Fire Department rushed Davis to Williamsburg Community Hospital.

Because of the severity of the injury, Davis was picked up by Nightingale helicopter and flown to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, according to a spokeswoman at Williamsburg Community.

McCullouch said Davis died about 6 a.m. at the Norfolk hospital.

McCullouch said Davis was a passenger in a 1989 Chrysler LeBaron convertible that was operated by Leland C. Tippit, also 16.

The convertible was westbound on Route 5 when Tippit apparently lost control about 50 feet west of Route 614, McCullouch said.

He said the report indicates the car went off the right side of the highway and struck a tree. Officers believe the driver was speeding, McCullouch said.

Tippit was treated at Williamsburg Community Hospital and released.

McCullouch said Davis was wearing his seat belt when the crash occurred.

No charges have been filed against the driver, he said, although the investigation continues.